Retail Downsizing and Upsizing: Target Not the Only Store Making Changes in Canada

Earlier this year we spoke at length about Target Canada’s choice to pull the plug on its Canadian operations, and the many impacts this had for the brand. But Target isn’t the only company to be making changes within their organizational structure - a whole host of parent companies have made the decision to downsize in recent months. 

At the beginning of the year, several companies, including Sears, Mexx Canada, and Sony, announced plans to downsize. The latest in the long line of companies include the parent company for retailers Ricki’s, Bootlegger and Cleo. Back in March, Canadian Business had this to say: Ontario-based Comark Inc, “The company behind Ricki’s, Bootlegger and Cleo plans to close stores and cut jobs as part of a restructuring after obtaining court protection from creditors.”

You can check out the full article about this downsizing move here: 

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/rickis-bootlegger-cleo-fashion-stores-downsizing-under-court-protection/.

Does that mean the trend is just about downsizing? No. While some stores are making moves to decrease their footprint, others are increasing their square footage to meet rising demands. This includes those stores, such as Amazon, that are making the move to physical locations, having previously only sold online.

When it comes to rightsizing - whether you are downsizing or upsizing - there are few to things to keep in mind to mitigate any unforeseen consequences.  The right people support, a strategy for in-store set-up and planogram compliance can all make a big difference with regard to customer satisfaction and therefore brand loyalty and brand perspective.

Downsizing? Upsizing? When it comes to rightsizing, Storesupport can help. We can offer the tools that give you the ability to properly manage the process. Call us today at 1-877-421-5081.

Retail Merchandising: Spot the Common Denominator

Brands located at retail: look at these four images – does anything stand out? Any common theme come to mind? If your thoughts go right to planogram compliance then we are on the same page. If not, well, perhaps it should be.

When it comes to retail merchandising, planogram compliance is crucial. If you are a brand located at retail, you trust that the section planogram is displayed to exact specifications. But what if it isn’t? What if your products are not located on the correct shelf, or facings and product mixture is incorrect? You pay listing fees so you expect a certain amount of real estate! If planograms are not set to brand specifics, you may lose out, thereby decreasing your overall exposure and ROI.

So how can you accomplish this? Instead of just shipping out your product and hoping for the best, why not hire a company to audit planogram compliance for you. Or, if you are able to execute the setting of the planogram, why not have a company execute your section to your exact specifications and/or audit your share of shelf and send you photographs of the completed project so you can be sure that your brands are being represented on shelf correctly.

For more information on how to ensure planogram compliance please contact Storesupport today by calling 1-877-421-5081, or visit us online at www.storesupport.ca